Book Discussion/Review: Conjured by Sarah Beth Durst

Title: Conjured
Author: Sarah Beth Durst
Genre: young adult, supernatural, horror
Series: N/A
Pages: 368
Published: September 3 2013
Source: publishers via NetGalley

Eve has a new home, a new face, and a new name—but no memories of her past. She’s been told that she's in a witness protection program. That she escaped a dangerous magic-wielding serial killer who still hunts her. The only thing she knows for sure is that there is something horrifying in her memories the people hiding her want to access—and there is nothing they won’t say—or do—to her to get her to remember.

At night she dreams of a tattered carnival tent and buttons being sewn into her skin. But during the day, she shelves books at the local library, trying to not let anyone know that she can do things—things like change the color of her eyes or walk through walls. When she does use her strange powers, she blacks out and is drawn into terrifying visions, returning to find that days or weeks have passed—and she’s lost all short-term memories. Eve must find out who and what she really is before the killer finds her—but the truth may be more dangerous than anyone could have ever imagined.

This review is going to be a little different. Usually about now, I'd launch into a multi-paragraph review about what I liked and what didn't work for me, but my good friend Lyn from Great Imaginations read Conjured around the same time as I did, and she had a brilliant idea -- a discussion post about the book. Her thoughts are in red, and mine are in blue. It's lengthy, and a tad spoilery, but those are marked.

Jessie:  Basically, I liked it, but thought it fell short on almost anything that was promised in the blurb. Or just watered down.

 Lyn:  First, you said the POV was off - I agree.  I really threw me off.

Jessie:  YES.
 

 Lyn:  That was a major hit point, I admit.
 

Jessie:  The POV switches, while they could have illustrated a subtle point, were too many and way overdone.

Lyn:  I see that it was an "artistic" decision, but I think it would have worked if it was a whole chapter instead of up and switching - it was slightly fumbled.

Jessie:  Exactly. I agree. I am not a fan of switching back and forth (pick one and stick with it!) but I could see it working better in that way.

Lyn:  Character-wise - what did you think of Eve?
 

Jessie:  She was, forgive me, too wooden. She had some potential, but she didn't really come alive for me.

(THE PUNS. I cannot stop them.)
(highlight to see my spoilery hilariousness)

Lyn:  (You're just so damn punny....I see what you did there!) Jessie:  I didn't find much life in any of the characters, though. They were flat, for me. How did you like them?

 Lyn:  Yes! Her background explained her odd behavior, but I think it went on for too long.  It was frustrating to read for such a long time without any real emotions.
 

 Jessie:  Yes. The reveal was too little too late to save her character.
 
Lyn:  Yes, Zach was annoying, and I liked Aidan.  My favorite character was Malcolm.  Everyone else -Topher (dick), Nicky (bitch), Aidan (creepy) were just....I never felt comfortable with the cast.I think that was the main concern - I still felt anxious in the end.

Jessie:  Malcolm was the one redeeming character, I agree. I hate hate hated the other teens. Too little development.  

I also hate when the antagonist is largely missing for 90% of the novel. When he/they show up, I got more involved, but the flashbacks lacked tension for me.

Lyn:  They honestly freaked me out more than the killer.  They acted weird as hell.  I think there was some potential to save the storyline, but it just didn't happen.
It would have been awesome if the revelation would have happened sooner and more time was spent at the carnival.  Maybe some more shows or traveling.  That would have been awesome

Jessie:  YES. That is the book I want to read.

Less kissing in libraries, more of that.

Also, like you said, more gore.
 

Lyn:  LOL! I agree.  I wish I would have known the main squeeze a little better before the insta-love rolled in.

Jessie:  You tell me there is a magical serial killer, SHOW ME A MAGICAL SERIAL KILLER, DAMNIT.  

Lyn:  The flashbacks did creep me out as well.  It was what kept me going.I gave this book four stars, and I see that you gave it three stars.  I think I should point out that I rated it high because the book made me feel, even if it was a high level of discomfort and creepiness.  I think it needed a lot of work.

Jessie:  Gah, the instalove was a sticking point for me. I liked Zach alright, but he was so BLAND.

Lyn:  He was.  There was one huge quality that was focused upon, and then the rest of his development just went out the window - "Here is a quirk, so that's good enough.  Now kiss."
 

Jessie:  My three is a high three. I found the last part to be extremely creepy, and thus, full of awesome.

You nailed it, about Zach. Quirk(s) does not a character make.

Lyn:  The last part was super creepy.  I wish that it hadn't ended so soon.  There was a great opportunity to make the last of the book a bigger BAM! and make the first part a little more worthwhile.

Jessie:  Agreed. More time expanding on the big conflict and less buildup would have made for a far more satisfying read.
 
Lyn:  There seems to be a rash of "manic pixie" characters.  It is like a cake-only diet.  Cake is awesome, but too much will make your limbs fall off and your pancreas shut down. 
 
Jessie:  Ahahaha, Lyn, I love your brain.

How did you feel about the magic? I thought it was creative, honestly. Different from other YA supernatural stories and I greatly appreciated that.

Lyn:  Let me see if I can get this down in words - It was beautiful and I understood it at the end, but it just didn't seem to have a formula, and felt slightly deux ex machina. I never understood why it worked or failed when it did.
 

Jessie:  That.... is entirely valid. I hadn't even thought about it. I just liked the dolls as storage containers, etc. and that too much turned Eve human. But your point is spot on.

Lyn:  It was high on the creative factor - it had the courage to step outside of the realm and go for something new and fresh (I'll even turn a blind eye to the insta-love) 

I did like the reasoning behind Eve's existence.  That was flat out awesome, and very macabre.

Jessie:  I am down with the macabre. I think a lot of books forget in in favor of sheer shock and gore, but Durst achieved a nice balance. I could've done with more gore, but the macabre-ness of it was perfection.

Lyn:  Kudos to the entire horror-type feel without venturing into flat out grossness.  I am happy that it wasn't shock fiction - I feel cheated when gore is used just for the shock factor.

Jessie:  Yes - that's a lot of the problem with horror and why I avoid most of it.
I've read several of Durst's books and she strikes me as a fairly good writer. Strong ideas, but some missteps in execution.

Lyn:  I agree: I have read two books prior to this one, Vessel and Ice, and her imagination is outstanding and beautiful, but there always feels like something is missing.

Jessie:  I read Vessel and Drink, Slay, Love (which was hilarious) and most of her characters read cold to me. DSL is acceptable because it's about a killer vampire (healed by a unicorn stabbing, no less) but there needs to be more for flesh and blood people.She has quite the imagination -- did you read this book was inspired by her nightmares? I imagine her brain is a scary place.

Lyn:  Vessel is my favorite book by her, and, yes, sometimes the characters seem to fall to the wayside for the sake of the story.

I saw that at the end - this book gave me nightmares as well.  So I can totally buy that story.

Jessie:  Agree wholeheartedly about exchanging characters for plot.

Conjured wasn't all I had hoped it would be, but I will still definitely seek out books from SBD.
 

Lyn:  I second that motion!
 

Jessie:  And if that's how I feel at the end, I have to admit that Conjured wasn't a perfect read, but it was good enough and original enough to keep me motivated to read it all the way through.

Lyn:  It would make an awesome movie - just putting that out there.

Jessie:  YES. A terrifying movie, but awesome.

Lyn:  Wholeheartedly agreed!

Jessie gave it: 3.25/5

Lyn gave it: 4/5

Top Ten Young Adult Favorite Reads of 2011

This has been a good reading year for me. I managed to read 212 books, for a total of 75,768 pages. Only 22 of those 212 warranted a five star rating from me, and only 9 young adult novels were among those 22 and most are represented here in this list. I read more YA this year than I have since I was a teenager, and have fallen in love with the genre. I'm still a fantasy girl at heart (expect a Top Ten Fantasy list soon!) but I was largely very impressed with my YA selections this year.

The Top Ten:

1. Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

I read and reviewed this gem only in September of this year, but boy did it make an impression. The first in a series to come, I have high hopes for this author and series!

From my review:

The story is striking and imaginative and unforgettable. Daughter of Smoke and Bone is a genre-blending exercise of win, unlike anything I have yet read. It's a new, charismatic spin on the angel/devil/seraphim/nephilim/chimaera theme, populated with real characters with actual personalities - relayed by dialogue and deed rather than an infodump. I loved the nicely tuned balance of action and wit, drama with imagination and wordbuilding on a grand-scale. When's book two out? I cannot and hope not to wait long for another installment in this spellbinding world.

2. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

Though I just read this in December, The Book Thief is impossible not to add to this list. Affecting, poignant and utterly impossible to put down, this is one of the rare ones that deserves all the hype and acclaim it can garner. I was an absolute mess after finishing (only four hours after beginning!) but in that full-hearted way one feels after a really, really great book.

From the review:

This is a work of art in novel form, moving and poignant from  its start in 1939 to its all-too-soon finish. Zusak's portrayal of these stand-out characters (Liesel, Hans, RUDY) will linger long in your memory. Don't dismiss this novel out of hand as just "another YA", especially if you are an adult. This book will resonate with and affect you even if you're long gone from the dreaded teenage years.

You won't just passively read [The Book Thief]: you'll experience Liesel Meminger's world in all its horror and beauty. 

I can't recommend The Book Thief enough. If you take one recommendation from this blog at all this year, let it be this one.

3. Seraphina by Rachel Hartman

 

I have yet to write a review for this YA fantasy novel done almost perfectly. Seraphina has many of the dreaded staples of its genre hated by nonreaders: weird, foreign names, words with too many vowels or beginning with "q", and of course: dragons. What is so wonderful about this 2012 release is the unique and individual spin Seraphina puts on all these old, used-up tropes. Never old or boring, this is a fresh and lively addition to the fantasy ranks. Keep an eye out for my upocoming glowing review for its publication later in the year!

4. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Another great read I loved immensely that I've sadly failed to review, but hardly one that is hardly unknown. The Hunger Games series is a force to be reckoned with with movies on the way and numerous reprints and editiosns, and is an enjoyable trilogy. But of those three, the first novel is the strongest, and the obvious best. Katniss is at her best here, doing things and creating action, with Peeta there to provide am emotional outlet. The Hunger Games is shocking, engrossing and one of the best young-adult dystopians I've come across.

5. Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley 

My first young-adult novel from a Down Under author and I was quite blown away by the authentic emotions, strong yet still likeable characters, and dynamic storytelling consistently present throughout Graffiti Moon. This is a moving novel that is nothing short of impressive. I was hooked immediately and never wanted the book to end.

From the review:

I didn't just read Aussie author Cath Crowley's novel - I inhaled it. I read the entire two hundred sixty seven page novel in just under a three hour period; I couldn't put it down to eat, play with the dogs or even move from my desk to the reading chair. It's gripping, consuming and alive in a way very few stories are - and more should be. I want to pull huge sections from the narrative to quote - my whole review would be quotes if I were clever enough. This is, simply put, a beautiful book - beautifully written, carried, developed and ended. Graffiti Moon is a young-adult novel that transcends the genre of its origin; all ages of readers who appreciate a deftly woven, compelling read would treasure this book. It's brilliantly descriptive and full of evocative and moving imagery. This book moved me.

6. Ultraviolet by R.J. Anderson

Ultraviolet is a great, great inceptive read. With an unreliable narrator and a truly interesting but completely real condition (synesthesia) Alison is a one-of-a-kind, original protagonist. She makes the book; strong, intelligent and relentless I wish more of my teenage female YA protagonists were more like her (though without the whole "did I murder someone or not" thing.) Twists and turns abound through the pages of this sci-fi mystery genre bender, and I need the sequel Quicksilver asap.

From the review:

This is a novel that more than lives up to its advertising byline: Everything You Know Is Wrong. But you'll only know the why and the how if you read this novel. Its got a unique premise, gorgeous prose, epic tons of quotes to love, and more than helluva twist more than recommend it.

7. Angelfall by Susan Ee

Yet another I've unfortunately yet to review, Angelfall is currently taking my GoodReads friends by storm. In my defense, I only heard of (and bought and read) this book mid-last week. I read it in two hours, and though it's relatively small at just 255 pages in ebook format, this is a GREAT novel. Angelfall gets so many things right that other authors miss, usually painfully: pacing, female action/fighting techniques, a gritty post-apocalyptic world, the romance angle, angels/nephilim, family interpersonal relationships.... all are handled ably and with a dab hand for imagery.

And one of the best parts about Angelfall? It's only $.99. Susan Ee is the first self-published author that has impressed me enough to wish she was traditionall published. I want my own hard copy of this delight and there none such as of yet. Buy this now, while you can get it cheap for Nook and Kindle. This is good. Buy it.

8. Lirael by Garth Nix

One of my first books reviewed for this very blog, I enjoyed Lirael far more than its predecessor and first in the series Sabriel. This is a smart and quite detailed YA supernatural novel with a very unique and creative magic system, first published way back in 2001, but one that hasn't aged a day.

 From the review:

Lively and absorbing, brimming with imagination and an utterly engaging plot. Suspense, sheer curiosity, genuine creepiness, unsettling creatures, along with unseen twists and turns make this a hard-to-put-down book. One of the best young-adult fantasy books I have ever read; better, even, than its predecessor Sabriel.I preferred Lirael as a protagonist compared to Sameth AND to Sabriel from the first book.

9. Abhorsen by Garth Nix

 Third and final book of the Abhorsen series and the second book of the trilogy to make this list (woo! what an accomplishment!;]), Abhorsen finalizes the strong trends and plots from the first two books. A fitting and very satisfactory ending to one of my favorite series, I was sad to end my reading but happy with the novel. This is a series for any fan of great female characters and unique, refreshing paranormal/supernatural aspects without vampires.

From the review:

This is a marvelous adventure. A great series with strong characters, a compelling plot and unique magic and creatures. Brilliant in all senses of the word. It is a  superb ending for an amazingly entertaining series; it deserves to be read. 

10. Drink, Slay, Love by Sarah Beth Durst 

I just had so much fun with this twisted little teenage vampire tale. Pearl is a vampire with no regrets: difficult, strident, rude, supercilious, and above all, amusing. She walks the fine line between aggravating and pure humor, and with the benefit of a unicorn and some escapes, she comes across easily on the amusing side. This is a book made of win and pure fun.

From the review:

The interesting set-up, the time-limit and unique proclivities of Pearl make the pace of this novel fly by. It's one of those books a reader picks up to peruse for a minute and is immediately lost within. I highly enjoyed this novel, and I think it will find love from a widely varied audience.
If you see it on a bookshelf in your near future, buy it, read it, love it.

Honorable Mentions:

The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa (reviewed  here)

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins (reviewed here)

Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver (reviewed here)

The Demi-Monde: Winter by Rod Rees (reviewed here)

Dark Inside by Jeyn Roberts (reviewed here)

Darker Still by Leanna Renee Hieber (reviewed here)

Review: Drink, Slay, Love by Sarah Beth Durst

Title: Drink, Slay, Love

Author: Sarah Beth Durst

Genre: young-adult, supernatural fiction

Series: N/A though I hope for more!

Pages: 398 (Nook ARC version)

Published: expected September 2011
Source: publishers via S&S Galley Grab

Rating: 4/5

Oh man, did I have fun with this book. A teenage girl vampire with a conscience? A vampire stabbed through the heart by a unicorn's horn to gain said conscience? Yeah - I admit I was sold by the premise alone. Far too many authors take their vampires/werewolves/superantural/paranormal creatures far too seriously, and Ms. Durst's snarkily humorous take on the monster was fresh and above all, fun. Somewhere between the characters themselves and the randomly frequent snarky/snide allusions to Twilight, I found myself having more fun with a vampire story than I have for quite a long time.

In this very complete world of Ms. Durst's, vampires are both born or made from humans. Pearl is a born vampire, meaning she's never been human, never been in the sunlight, and never had a conscience. Durst stays true to the most original interpretation of the nightwalking bloodsuckers: they're sensitive to Holy Water, repelled by garlic, flammable when exposed to the sun and they do not sparkle. Hunters in every sense of the word, Pearl's Family is a powerful clan aiming to increase their sway through the upcoming Fealty Ceremony. Since the type of vampires in this novel can be born not just made("turned" is the vocabulary here), the induction into a full-fledged vampiress is an important one; indeed, one that the powerful and bloodthirsty King of New England vampires will be present for, and observe closely. 

Pearl, the before mentioned young female vampire, within the first chapter is stabbed through the heart by a unicorn. This supposedly mythical creature's actions start to change Pearl from the typical prototype vampire. She feels emotions, guilt even, and thus is the only one of her kind to do so. By a fortuitous disaster, Pearl also learns she is the first "daywalker" of her kind: the stabbing the caused her consicence to grow also allows her where no other vampire can go. Thus the young Pearl is selected to "hunt" in the high schools in order to provide a feast for the hundreds of vampires planning to descend on her town for the Fealty Ceremony. Underneath this immense pressure, Pearl emerges as a believable teenager; one I grew warmer to (ha) the longer she remained in the sunlight. I really enjoyed Pearl and reading from her perspective: not too whiny, not too boy crazy and just the right amount of bad-ass, ass-kicking female. Pearl is by far the highlight of the novel: both my favorite character and consistently the most interesting person on the page. I want to read more stories about Pearl now.

The characters besides Pearl were also mostly enjoyable, personable and vivid. From wannabe vampire hunters cum comedic duo, Matt and Zeke could be counted on to make me snort with laughter each time they appeared. Bethany, though perhaps a bit too wide-eyed to be entirely real, was a nice counterpoint for Pearl's harsher attitude and perspective. Evan, the love interest, manages to stir up real chemistry with Pearl while maintaining an aura of mystery and keeping his distance. He remains a separate character; one not dependent on Pearl. Once again, I cannot impress upon you how HAPPY it makes me when a real relationship is charted, and matures through the novel. Pearl and Evan don't immediately "fall in love forevaa!!" nor spend three hundred pages pining for one another. It's a nice change from some YA paranormal stories.

The interesting set-up, the time-limit and unique proclivities of Pearl make the pace of this novel fly by. It's one of those books a reader picks up to peruse for a minute and is immediately lost within. It may drag on a bit long (in my opinion) after Pearl gains her conscience and before the King arrives, but that is a minor quibble. The secret "twist" about the unicorn was also a bit heavy-handed and obvious but far from the worst offender I've come across in that regard. Ms. Durst has crafted a very-well planned and thought-out alternate universe in which her characters can play; from new ideas on the prevalent-in-literature vampirism ("blood heists", "blood drunk" and of course the crucial, plot essential "Fealty Ceremony") to amusing and rarely used mythical creatures (when's the last time you read about a unicorn in fiction?) this is a novel that should be read and enjoyed by many people. I highly enjoyed this novel, and I think it will find love from a widely varied audience.
If you see it on a bookshelf in your near future, buy it, read it, love it.

Added This Week!

I finally! got my precious debit card back today, so giveaway books are officially en route AND I can indulge in some Nookbook shopping! In addition to the physical books I bought and that showed up on my doorstep lately....

Like: 

Laini Taylor's Lips Touch: Three Times, Lisa Mantchev's Perchance to Dream, Impossible by Nancy Werlin, Ransom Rigg's Miss Peregine's Home for Peculiar Children, and Truly, Madly by Heather Webber.

I also added Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins and Keary Taylor's Eden on my Nook.

In honor of Georgette Heyer's 109th birthday, Sourcebooks (and B&N) is running a $1.99 special on these titles. The sale only lasts for a week, so get in there and get some! (How do I choose?! I personally already have Cotillion, Footsteps in the Dark, and A Blunt Instrument.)

Sophie Jordan's Firelight, the first of the YA dragontastic Firelight series is currently only $1.99. So, naturally that's been added to my horrible pile. It's normally far more expensive, so like the Heyer novels - get it while it lasts!

From S&S GalleyGrab I was happy to select Sarah Beth Durst's Drink, Slay, Love (which I am currently reading and LOVING), The Lady of the Rivers by Philippa Gregory (#3 in the Cousin's War series), and Fake Me a Match by Lauren Barnholdt.

That's it for now, but I will most likely break my vow and find something new to buy.